Venusblau

by Gustaf Sobin

Die Lektüre entführt den Leser in das Hollywood der dreißiger Jahre. Milli schildert ihre Begegnung mit der leidenschaftlichen Pilotin Molly Lammana, die ihr Gedächtnis verloren hat und geradewegs aus dem Venusblau des Himmels gefallen zu sein scheint. Milli versucht etwas über Mollys Vergangenheit herauszubekommen, sie folgt ihren Spuren nach Frankreich, dann nach Spanien, wo inzwischen Bürgerkrieg herrscht. Sie hört von einem Geschwisterpaar, das mit Molly zusammenlebte, und von Mollys Kind, das – angeblich – verunglückt sein soll. Als Milli sich mit Molly treffen will, um ihr von ihren Nachforschungen zu erzählen, erfährt sie, dass Molly mit dem Flugzeug abgestürzt ist.

299 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great library find.

Stefan Hollander, a collector of memorabilia, becomes particularly intrigued by the obscure 1930's starlet and aviator, Molly Lamanna. In his pursuit of all things related to the actress, he happens upon the diary of Millicent Rappaport, a contemporary of Molly's who was utterly obsessed with her. Determined to unravel the mysteries surrounding these two remarkable and enigmatic women, Stefan moves from passive observer to active player in an ever-deepening plot.

From the book jacket:
"In Venus Blue, a novel built of sunlight, secrets, and the scent of women's hair, notions of desire and its intimate relation to absence and loss--always present just beneath Sobin's celebration of the gauzy-lit hues of Hollywood film--rise urgently to the surface. . . [Sobin] deftly blends film noir coloration [with] poetic conceit . . . Dreamlike while conjuring moments of lush actuality." --Albert Mobilio, Village Voice Literary Supplement

Lush? Poetic? Diary? Old Hollywood nostalgia? Obsessive, unrequited love? Sobin, you're speakin' my language!

I'll be honest. It's not the most polished book I've ever read! --but sensuous, captivating, and frequently lovely. Definitely worth the read.

[Sue Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm glad this book was only 198 pages. It was OK but didn't really hold my interest until about page 160. Sobin's writing is prosaic, poetic and just a tad long-winded. I mostly enjoyed the style but was easily bored by the content and had no sympathy with any of the characters.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm glad this book was only 198 pages. It was OK but didn't really hold my interest until about page 160. Sobin's writing is prosaic, poetic and just a tad long-winded. I mostly enjoyed the style but was easily bored by the content and had no sympathy with any of the characters.

[Crista Cloutier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love anything written by Gustaf Sobin. I had the opportunity to study with him and he was extraordinary, as a teacher, as a writer, as a person.